Suica is the most famous IC card in Eastern Japan - you can buy it not only in Tokyo ( Narita Airport, Haneda) but also in other regions of JR East, for example around Sendai.

In addition to the classic Suica, the tourist variant Welcome Suica is also sold in some places. They work practically the same, but differ in a few details that are handy to know right after arrival.

Here are my experiences and recommendations on which card is worth buying.

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Here are the 3 main points that play the biggest role in deciding whether Suica or Welcome Suica is better.

• 📅 Will you be in Japan for less than 28 days? -> Welcome Suica
• 💡 Are you planning multiple visits to Japan? -> Classic Suica
• 📱 Have an iPhone? -> Welcome Suica in Apple Wallet

Main differences

	Welcome Suica	Suica
Deposit	500 jpy	0 jpy
Validity	several years	28 days
Balance refund	not possible	yes*
Where to buy	Narita Airport, Haneda JR East Station in Tokyo JR East Sendai Station	Narita Airport, Haneda all JR East stations in Honshu

* An administrative fee is payable 220 jpy. The card can only be returned at JR-East stations, i.e. only in Tokyo or in the eastern/northern part of Honshu.

So for short-term tourists, Welcome Suica is more convenient, where you don't have to pay a deposit of 500 yen and don't have to deal with returning it.

The fact that there is no refund of unused credit is not such a problem. You can spend any unused credit at mini-markets or even McDonald's or Starbucks in the airports before your flight.

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What do cards have in common?

Whichever card you buy, they work the same in practice:

• you top up the credit (cash only at vending machines or at the cash desk)
• you pay in transport (subway, local trains, buses, trams), mini-markets, restaurants, etc.
• you can recharge your credit as you wish (in vending machines in metro and train stations, mini-markets)
• 👉 How IC cards work in Japan in detail

Where to buy Suica after arrival?

You can buy the card at all international airports that fall under the Suica system.

• Haneda HND Airport
  • at the vending machines outside the monorail platform (not at the vending machines on Keikyu trains, but Suica can be used on these trains afterwards)
  • information centre in arrival halls
  • Suica, Welcome Suica
• Narita Airport NRT
  • in the vending machines in front of the platform at Keisei train station
  • Information centre in arrival halls
  • Suica, Welcome Suica
• Train stations in Tokyo - Tokyo Station, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ueno, Ikebukuro, Yokohama
  • Information centre and vending machines
  • Suica, Welcome Suica
• Sendai Train Station
  • Information centre and vending machines
  • Suica, Welcome Suica
• All JR-East train stations in Honshu
  • ticket offices and vending machines
  • Suica only

Welcome Suica on mobile

If you have an iPhone, you can add Welcome Suica directly to your Apple Wallet and top it up with a credit card.

You don't have to deal with cash or vending machines, and you can install Suica right before you arrive in Japan (no matter where you fly to - it's valid all over Japan).

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My recommendation

I chose Welcome Suica on a short visit because I didn't want to deal with a deposit.

But if you plan to return to Japan, the classic Suica makes more sense.

FAQ: frequently asked questions

What do you ask us very often?

Does Suica / Welcome Suica work outside Tokyo?

• 💡 Yes, it works all over Japan.

Can Welcome Suica be returned?

• 💡 No, you can only return a classic Suica card

Do I only need to top up with cash?

• 💡 Yes, cash only at vending machines, via Apple Wallet card.